Author: On Common Ground News

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—All three high schools in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) have been named 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods. The announcement continues a tradition of excellence for more than 15 consecutive years .  Heritage High, Rockdale County High, and Salem High earned recognition as AP Expansion Schools. Additionally, Heritage High and Rockdale County High were honored in AP Humanities and AP STEM categories. Rockdale County High also received the distinction as an AP Access and Support School. “We are proud of all our high schools for this prestigious state recognition,” said Acting RCPS Acting Superintendent Shirley…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in the case against a Loganville man charged with starting a fight with a father and then shooting him in front of his son.  Kevon Lloyd Simpson, 31, was found guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the death of Gabriel Yalledy, 55, on June 13, 2021. The verdict wasannounced  on Feb. 27. According to the investigation, officers with the DeKalb County Police Department responded to a call about…

DECATUR, GA– The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will partner with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the Happy Helping Program to provide food programs that service youths 18 years and under during the summer. The program will run from June 9 – July 18. The Department is encouraging agencies to apply now to participate as a distribution site. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Gwinnett County Police Department(GCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a burglary suspect who took a shower and stole a key from a home in unincorporated Lawrenceville.  On Feb. 5, at approximately 4:40 a.m., the pictured suspect entered the basement of a residence on Cannings Lake Court in unincorporated Lawrenceville through an unlocked door.  The suspect, described as an older white male with a slender build and a tattoo on his upper right arm, took a shower before leaving the residence with a key to the home, a lighter, and a folding knife. The homeowner confronted the…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will celebrate the return of Parent Academy for its 23rd semester on Saturday, March 15. The classes and workshops will be held 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Rockdale Career Academy,1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers.   The free, half-day event for parents, tweens and teens offers free classes and resources to help families find success. To register, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/parentacademy. This year’s theme is “Thrive in 2025!” with workshops focusing on physical, financial, mental, wellness as well as literacy. The event features student performances, and local community vendors as well as student entrepreneurs.  Attendees attend two breakout sessions and can choose from dozens of…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County has announced that it will open four warming centers to assist homeless residents due to gusty winds, rain, and cold expected on Wednesday night.    The warming centers will open on March 5 at 8 p.m.: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur(See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) Exchange Park Intergeneration Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur (See pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline.) During warming center activation, transportation pickups will…

DEKALB, GA –The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10, 6 p.m., 2000 Airport Rd., Room 227, Atlanta.  The public can attend the meeting virtually at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/84958022051 or via phone by calling 602-333-0032 and using the conference code 482992. The meeting agenda follow Approval of February 2025 meeting minutes  Information/Old Business Director’s Report – Hunter Hines LED Airfield Project Rules and Regulations Consent to Assignment to CDH Aviation, LLC by PDK, LLC, DeKalb County Contract No. 16-903064, Lease Agreement with PDK, LLC for North Terminal Lease Area Tract N-4, 2007 Flightway Drive.   PDK, LLC is assigning and transferring all of its…

ROCKDALE COUNTY – A 15-year-old suspect has been charged and is in custody for making social media threats against a local high school, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office announced in a post on X.  Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) confirmed the social media threats were made against Heritage High School over the winter break and on Sunday, Feb. 23.  The Sheriff’s Office said the juvenile was taken into custody on Feb. 26 and faces the following charges: Two counts of Terroristic Threats (felonies) Disruption of School (misdemeanor). Investigation timeline:  Feb. 19 –The Sheriff’s Office was first alerted to a social…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA –Lee Daffin, a 57-year-old Rockdale County resident, has been charged with the murder of Jocelyn Camille Goodwine, a Rockdale resident who was reported missing on Feb. 17, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office(RCSO) announced today.   Goodwine’s body was found on Feb. 20 in Cornelia, Georgia in Habersham County, approximately 80 miles north of Rockdale County and was later positively identified.   Authorities confirmed today that Daffin and Goodwine knew one another, but did not disclose details about their relationship. Daffin became a “person of interest” after Rockdale Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check at a home in the 1100 block of…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—A Lithonia High School teacher has been placed on administrative leave as DeKalb County school officials investigate allegations that she was seen vaping in her classroom filled with students.  Video footage of the incident, captured by students, has been shared on social media, according to parents who spoke with On Common Ground News(ocgnews.com) today. The video shows Mrs. A. King, who teaches business classes and oversees the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program, vaping as she stands before the classroom.    Some parents expressed concerns about the incident but noted that King is popular among students.  “I guess…